Analysis of blood pressure and selected cardiovascular risk factors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the May Measurement Month 2018 results.

ABSTRACT: Hypertension (HT) is the largest contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality and is characterized by high prevalence and low awareness, treatment, and control rates in sub-Saharan Africa. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an international campaign intended to increase awareness of high blood pressure (BP) among the population and advocate for its importance to the health authorities. This study aimed to increase awareness of raised BP in a country where its nationwide prevalence is yet unestablished. Investigators trained and tested how to use the campaign materials, collected participants' demographic data, lifestyle habits, and obtained from each one three BP measurements. Hypertension was defined as a BP ≥140/90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive medication. Of the 18 719 screened (mean

SUBMITTER: Buila NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7455259 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature